Method and apparatus for improved use of ratcheting tie-down strap or the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes an elongate flexible strap defining first and second ends and first and second sides, a ring attached to said first end of said strap, a first length of hook and loop fastener secured to a mid-portion of said strap on said second side, a second length of hook and loop fastener secured to said strap on said second side near said second end, and a flexible loop attached to said strap at said second end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to ProvisionalApplication No. 61/724,479, filed Nov. 9, 2012, incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates generally to cargo handling equipment.

2. Background

It is common to carry different loads in or on pick-up trucks, ontrailers, inside and on roof racks of SUVs, large flatbed trucks,utility vans, enclosed trucks, etc. Most loads require different lengthsof synthetic based cargo control. The most popular form of syntheticcargo control are polyester or nylon ratchet straps or cam lock straps.

To keep inventory of these straps to a minimum, most people buy muchlonger lengths of webbing than is required for most loads so that theydo not have to have many differing lengths of ratchet straps or winchstraps on hand.

Herein lies a problem: The ratchet buckle/ratcheting handle can onlyhold so much webbing on its spindle hub. A cam buckle cannot store anylength of material because it has a “pass-through” configuration. So inboth cases, one is typically left with loose webbing that must be dealtwith somehow or it can pose as a danger to the vehicle, the load, orother vehicles or pedestrians within reach of the extra webbing.Furthermore, if the webbing is left to fling around, this extra lengthwill damage itself and cause the ratchet strap to become unusable.

Clamps can be used to secure the bitter ends of tie down straps, butusing clamps is dangerous if they come off, and it takes too much timeto arrange webbing for effective clamping.

Tying the loose webbing to the side of vehicle is also not ideal,because knots weaken webbing and can cause damage to vehicle fromabrasion. Similarly, tucking webbing under the tie down handle may allowthe webbing to become loose and fall out, possibly causing accidents,damage to paint, etc.

Additionally, U.S. regulations mandate a ratchet locking mechanism on 3inch and larger tie-downs to prevent inadvertent release. Although some1 and 2 inch ratchets also have a built in locking mechanism, where theuser has to pull on a lever to release the handle, many do not. It wouldbe advantageous to provide a device that not only can be used to dealwith the problem of handling excess webbing, but can also be used toprevent inadvertent ratchet release, particularly for tie-downs lackingany locking mechanism.

IDENTIFICATION OF OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatusthat will prevent a tie-down handle from inadvertently opening underload.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatusthat provides for safe and rapid stowage of excess webbing or strap whena tie-down is too long for the cargo that it is securing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatusthat provides for neat and rapid stowage of tie-down assemblies when notin use.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus thatincludes an elongate flexible strap defining first and second ends andfirst and second sides, a ring attached to said first end of said strap,a first length of hook and loop fastener secured to a mid-portion ofsaid strap on said second side, a second length of hook and loopfastener secured to said strap on said second side near said second end,and a flexible loop attached to said strap at said second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail hereinafter on the basis of theembodiments represented in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a top side of a tie-down buddy apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bottom side of the tie-down buddy apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a top side of a tie-down buddy apparatus ofFIG. 1 shown attached to the back side of a tie-down ratchet assemblyaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram of the of the tie-down buddy apparatus ofFIG. 1, showing the back side of the tie-down buddy apparatus beingconnected to the back side of a tie-down ratchet assembly using afastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a tie-down buddy 10 according to a preferredembodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show tie-down buddy 10installed with a conventional tie-down ratchet assembly 5. Tie-downbuddy 10 is provided in a variety of lengths and widths to accommodatevarious ratchet strap assembly/cam buckle widths and lengths in order tomeet three functions of use:

1). When tie-down 5, also referred to as a Cargo Control, is not in use,tie-down buddy 10 can be used to store the tie-down in a neat bundle.

2). When tie-down 5 is in use, tie-down buddy 10 is used to tightly holdthe excess webbing (not illustrated) to the ratchet strap in a neatbundle.

3). When the tie-down 5 is in use, tie-down buddy 10 aids in safety evenif there is no excess webbing to secure. Because tie-down buddy 10 wrapsaround the ratchet handle, it can be utilized as a primary or secondarylocking mechanism, not allowing the ratchet handle to open up andpossibly release its hold on the webbing.

Tie-down buddy 10 preferably has a main strap body 11 formed ofsynthetic webbing, such as polypropylene, polyester, or nylon. Variousweave pattern options may be used for main body 11 as appropriate. Aplastic or metal ring 12 is connected to tie-down buddy body 11 at afirst end 13, preferably by sewing. The size of ring 12 is relative totie-down buddy webbing width. Front side 9 of body 11 may include female(felt) hook and loop (e.g., Velcro) fastener strips spanning anywherealong the length of body 11, depending on model.

The back side 14 of body 11 preferably includes female (felt) hook andloop (e.g. Velcro) fastener strip 16 spanning anywhere from at least ⅓the length of the body 11, to at least ¾ the length of body 11, and upto a full length of the body 11, depending on model. The second end 15of body 11 (opposite of ring 12) includes a length of male hook and loopfastener 17. However, the male and female sections of hook and loopfastener may be interchanged as desired.

A round or flat material loop 19 at the second end 15 of the body 11provides a grab point to give the user an extra level of pulling abilityto ensure the webbing is taut to the ratchet buckle or taught to thefixed end webbing of cam buckle (not illustrated). The use of the ring19 ensures a secure attachment that has at least 2× holding capacity ofjust straight Velcro male-female bond to avoid Velcro release duringhigh speed use. Preferably, ring 19 is made of a synthetic materialsimilar to body 11. Optionally, an extra catch (not illustrated) at theend may be added for further security and/or for a hanging apparatus.

Tie-down buddy assembly 10 may be attached to the frame of a ratchetbuckle 5 by means of rivet, plastic compression pin, or some otherplastic or metal fastener 20 that passes through one or more holes oreyelets 22 formed in webbing 11 and one or more holes 24 formed in theframe of tie-down 5. In other embodiments, tie-down buddy assembly 10may not be attached to the frame of a ratchet buckle 5. Fastener 20 mayoptionally be hidden between layers of webbing (not illustrated) toprevent it from scratching the vehicle or load, particularly if it ismade of metal. Tie-down buddy assembly 10 may be supplied assembled withtie-down 5 or separately as a stand-alone accessory for ratchet bucklesand/or cam buckles.

Tie-down buddy 10 is used as follows:

Step 1. The user will unstrap the ratchet buddy to release all webbing.

Step 2. He will then secure the load with the appropriate ratchet or cambuckle assembly and ensure ratchet handle is in locked or down position.

Step 3. He will gather all the loose excess webbing by either rollingthe webbing in a circle, oblong shape, or loop or by folding the webbingin a back and forth motion.

Step 4. He will then place the excess folded webbing on top of theratchet handle or on webbing. Take the tie-down buddy and loop the freeend through the ring and back over while pulling tightly before layingthe Male and Female faces together. After putting the faces together,the user will double check the tie-down webbing is secure by pulling onit. If it is not secured, release the Male and Female faces and pull theTie-down buddy tighter and then relay Male and Female faces together.Tie-down buddy 10 has now secured the webbing for safe travel.

Step 5. When the user is ready to release the load, they reverse themethod.

Step 6. To Store the ratchet assembly, they repeat steps 3 and 4.

While some embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in detail,the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown; modifications andadaptations of the above embodiment may occur to those skilled in theart. Such modifications and adaptations are in the spirit and scope ofthe invention as set forth herein:

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: an elongate flexiblestrap defining first and second ends and first and second sides; a ringattached to said first end of said strap; a first length of hook andloop fastener secured to a mid-portion of said strap on said secondside; a second length of hook and loop fastener secured to said strap onsaid second side near said second end; and a flexible loop attached tosaid strap at said second end, wherein said apparatus is configured tobe wrapped around a tie-down apparatus, said second end of said strapinserted through said ring, and said second length of hook and loopfastener configured to engage said first length of hook and loopfastener to secure said apparatus thereabout said tie-down apparatus. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector adapted forconnecting said strap to a ratchet of a tie-down apparatus.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible strap comprises a materialof synthetic webbing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstlength of hook and loop fastener spans from approximately ⅓ to ¾ of thelength of said strap.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ringcomprises a material of plastic or steel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said first length of hook and loop fastener comprises femalehook and loop material, and second said second length of hook and loopfastener comprises male hook and loop material.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said first length of hook and loop fastener comprisesmale hook and loop material, and second said second length of hook andloop fastener comprises female hook and loop material.